Advancements in CNT-based materials for optimized pharmaceutical removal via adsorption and photocatalysis

Abstract Water treatment plays a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for water and preventing future shortages. The unique and adaptable arbitrary, physical, and chemical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) make them an attractive candidate for use in water treatment. CNTs are employed in environmental applications because of their exceptional adsorbent, mechanical, and chemical characteristics. Functional groups chemically or physically modify pure CNTs, improving their desalination and extraction capabilities. The advantages of CNT-based composites, such as antifouling performance, excellent selectivity, and higher water permeability, reassure us of their effectiveness in water treatment. This review comprehensively discusses the structural features and synthetic methods of CNTs. The functionalization and the pros and cons of functionalized CNT materials are also discussed. Pharmaceutical compounds are often manufactured using batch processes, resulting in the production of various products in wastewater. The occurrence of pharmaceutical compounds in drinking water arises from two distinct origins: the pharmaceutical industry’s manufacturing procedures and the widespread use of pharmaceutical compounds, which leads to their presence in urban and agricultural wastewater. This review discusses role of CNT-based nanomaterials in effectively removing pharmaceutical waste from wastewater through adsorption and photocatalytic processes. Lastly, the future approach is discussed to develop CNT-based nanomaterials better.